A new method for facial epidermoid cyst removal with minimal incision.

BACKGROUND

Facial epidermoid cyst is a common benign epithelial tumour frequently seen in young or middle-aged people and may cause aesthetic disability. Surgical excision is the most frequently used method but may result in obvious scar.

OBJECTIVE

To improve cosmetic result of removing facial epidermoid cyst through minimal incision surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-two cases of facial epidermoid cysts ranging from 0.5 to 1.4 cm in diameter were treated. The skin above the epidermoid cysts was infiltrated with local 0.1-cc 1% xylocaine anaesthetic by using a 26-gauge needle first, then 3-mm incisions were made with a No.11 surgical blade. The cystic contents and its capsule were then squeezed out through the small incision and the underlying connective tissue was chemically cauterized by 20% trichloroacetic acid. The incision wounds were left unsutured.

RESULT

Minimal incision method successfully treated 16 out of the 22 epidermoid cyst cases that ranged from 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter. And only one out of six was successfully treated for diameters greater than 1.1 cm.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method can minimize the scar when treating facial epidermal inclusion cysts that are less than 1 cm and obtained better cosmetic results.